Groundbreaking project aims to boost equine pasture care

A pioneering £20,000 project aims to help land managers care for land grazed by horses in a sustainable manner.

Frances Clayton, who lives near Ashford, in Kent won £20,000 from SEEDA after applying to take up the challenging year-long study on behalf of the Farming and Rural Issues Group.

The study aims to promote sustainable equine pasture management in South East England, maximising the positive impacts that equine businesses can have on landscape and biodiversity.

Frances said: "Poor equine pasture management is being raised as an issue across the region. The problems that can be associated with the equine industry include overgrazing, weedy, poached fields, poor fencing, inappropriate planting, lighting and development, all of which can lead to a negative impression of the equine industry."

The equine industry contributes £2.5 billion per annum to the economy. "Managed well, equine grazing/horse keeping, can have a positive impact on the landscape. Indeed native breeds of ponies are now being used as conservation grazers on sensitive sites. In addition, good pasture management can bring very positive benefits in terms of equine health and well-being."

The study aims to give different scenarios where the economics of stocking densities will be examined.

It will also consider waste management and planning issues where they relate to equine business development. Frances will work on aspects of the project with former banker-turned business consultant Katrina Brown who lives near Canterbury in Kent. The pair aim to form partnerships with rural bodies, equestrian organisations, equine trade media and feed stores to spread the word about good pasture management.

Frances said: "We will be organising an information drive and a series of tailored events to communicate with farmers, landowners, horse owners and managers, consultants and planners who are often faced with applications related to horse businesses. Many farmers are changing the use of their land, following reform of the Common Agriculture Policy in 2005, so there is a major opportunity to influence land use now and in the future."

Farming and Rural Issues Group chairman Shaun Leavey said: "This project seeks to address a wide range of equine related activities. Frances Clayton is an ideal candidate to undertake it, given her connections with the equine world and her experience in the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The adverse impact of badly run horse and pony businesses on the South East becomes a particularly acute problem when it impacts upon the entitlement of a farmer or landowner to the Defra single payment scheme. I am quite sure that Frances, with Katrina Brown, can achieve a real result by the time the project comes to an end."